To launch the socializing that had several double-dippers on that day, the New Orleans Branch of the English-Speaking Union (ESU) held its annual jazz brunch at the New Orleans Country Club with Shauna Grissett as the chairwoman. The invitation beckoned members and guests to "A Celebration of the official birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II." Estival elegance was also to the festive fore. The women were asked to wear garden party attire with hats and gloves preferred, and the men, white linen/summer attire.

Soon after their arrival, guests mingled, sipping such libations as spicy Bloody Marys, cold Champagne, mimosas, and wine. When everyone was seated, ESU New Orleans Branch president Dr. Quinn Peeper extended a welcome and Simon Blake delivered the blessing. Toasts were then raised to the birthday girl, Her Majesty Elizabeth II, and the president of the United States. Eggs, grits, biscuits, spinach-stuffed tomatoes and salads constituted the midday meal that was punctuated with the musical treats of the Last Straws. Around and about were cheerful red and white balloon bouquets provided by Beth Goddard and set up on each table. Chairwoman Shauna showed her creativity with the floral arrangements of daisies, hydrangeas and roses inside red and white striped popcorn boxes. On the outside of the boxes were stamped decals of the queen's marching guards.

In addition to Dr. Peeper, Ted Ducharme spoke, telling the assembly about his English in Action program. It is a nationwide service project that tutors foreigners in English and, locally, has enjoyed an auspicious beginning with the Rev. Vien The Nguyen at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church in eastern New Orleans. Members of ESU and the St. Lazarus Project meet on Mondays to assist foreign speakers with English.

One of the features of each brunch is the hat-contest judging and to announce the winners, Kathy Singleton, who had 2009's top chapeau, walked around the room to announce her successor. It was Beth Goddard, in a stunning, modern blue and brown hat with blue flowers. The second place tapped Juleanne Ingram, and for the honorable mention, Julia Perry. They in turn formed the party picture along with David Grissett, Dolly Jordan, Ingersoll Jordan, Carlo and Rosemonde Capomazza, former branch president Walker Ronaldson and Courtney-Anne Sarpy, Nick Bodor, Mel (Mrs. Gaspar) Schiro) and her nine guests, and Sammy Steele and his pals, Chris Owens and Gennifer Flowers. Also making rounds were Gayle Batt, Anita Georges, Dale LeBlanc, Rosemary Fowler, Herschel and Anne Abbott, Melissa Gordon, Dannal Perry, Drew and Julie Jardine, and Judy Palmer.

Quinn Peeper recently enjoyed natal-day recognition. To salute the big 5-0, he celebrated his birthday with friends from New Orleans and several fellow Oxford University graduates at the Oxford and Cambridge Club in London. Right after that, he took a number of ESU members on a trip to Scotland with Lucinda Shaw Stewart as a hostess. Guests loved her stunning Ardgowan Castle.

Much closer to home, and just hours after the ESU brunch, pianists Quinn Pepper and Michael Harold regaled guests with several Chopin selections at the Juleps in June party at the Audubon Place residence of James C. and Yvonne La Fleur Walsh. Armand st. Martin and his trio enjoyed limelight, too, with their rendering of jazz and old popular music from the era of the house. It is said to be the oldest one on the private University Section street.

Along with the Walshes, the honorary chaircouple, the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society Inc. played host, requesting the pleasure of one's company to salute New Orleans writers and the city's literary heritage and to benefit the above society's projects for writers and their readers. Joseph J. DeSalvo, W. Kenneth Holditch and Rosemary James founded the society which includes Anne Simms Pincus, Sandra Trout Wilson, Elizabeth Simms Hise, Pamela Lott, Dorian Bennett, Jack Davis, Janet Haedicke, Gabriela Hernandez, Phillip Jennings, Quinn Peeper, Alex Sheshunoff, and Scott R. Simmons on the executive board. Several figured on the party committee, whose names included Tia Nolan Roddy, the Peter Tattersalls, Bertie Deming Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Lupin, Ivan Mandich, Nancy and Hartwig Moss, Ron Pincus, Margarita Bergen, Marda Burton, Michie Bissell, Sarah Herschberger, Cynthia Reeves, David Speights, Jude Swenson, and Louis Wilson with Sandra. The latter twosome spearheaded the bidding for Alex Beard's portrait of William Faulkner, which was "won" by Tia Roddy. She was joined by husband Jimmy, and various family members, including newlyweds Robin and Emily Gilliland, who've moved to the Crescent City from New York.